5.16.2015

CEBU TRAVEL DIARY PART III

DAY 3 - Back in the city

As early as 3:45 am, Kuya Juanito already picked us up from where we were staying. We thanked him for itsince
as we arrived at the port, there were a lot of tourists (2 or 3 buses?)
going back to the mainland. The Ro-Ro vessel began sailing at around
4:30am and we were back at the pension house at around 9am.

It
was May 3, Sunday and the Pacquiao vs. Mayweathervfight was on. We wouldn't
miss if for the world. We watched the pay per view that comes with a buffet
lunch at the Royal Concourse Hotel as suggested by our friendly
taxi driver.

But oh well, we all know how it turned out. (I don't know why I'm smiling in that photo though. Hahaha)

Next stop, CAFE TIALA

Cafe Tiala was such a happy place!!!!! I couldn't emphasize it more with the number of tandang padamdams!!!! It was the perfect way to de-stress from all the underwhelmed feelings we harbored after the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. We played dress-up, took endless photos, put on cute huge head pieces and just laughed and talked and enjoyed the estrogen-filled place. We were joined by Toni's cousin, JR and his girlfriend, Maida. Yey to meeting new people and trying new places!

We ordered their specialty frappes and boy, the serving was so huge! Normally, people would complain that the size in the menu wouldn't compensate with the actual serving size. But at Cafe Tiala, it was the other way around! The frappe looked small in the menu but huge in actual! Prices range from P140.00 to P179.00.

Our friend Joie was charming enough to the lady Korean owner and we were rewarded with a complimentary pot of tea and toppoki. A genius icebreaker between the customers and the waiter was their WiFi password which I wouldn't spill because it's for you to look forward to if you ever find yourselves at Cafe Tiala (which I hope you will!). We really, genuinely enjoyed our visit! :)

Next stop, LASER TAG AT PARK MALL

We needed to take a break from all the girly hormones at Cafe Tiala so we decided to play laser tag at LaserBlitz in Parkmall. We were divided into two teams: red team (me, Sabb and Joie) and blue team (Toni, JR and Maida). It was so fun! I can now finally understand Barney in HIMYM! Hahaha.I was the highest scorer in our team but that wasn't enough to make the win. Blue won over red team and expectedly, JR (the only guy in the squad) was the highest pointer. Don't worry, not being a sexist here.Haha. Laser tag costs P150.00 (per person) on weekdays and P180.00 on weekends.

NEXT STOP, CAFE RACER

We had our dinner at Cafe Racer Diner which is the winner for the Best Theme Restaurant Award---for me anyway. As in. It's one compound with a "fake" gasoline station that pumps beer instead of real gasoline but has a real carwash, a Herbie converted to a griller, a combi van converted to a cashier station and all the other little details that sticks to their concept which is racing. Food prices were reasonable too!

LAST STOP, Z BAR

Last stop for our last night in Cebu was Zbar at Tinder Box. It was the perfect place to cap off the day and just chill and talk after a long day. The interiors and lighting were mesmerizing! I suggest you order their Kalamansi Slushie only for P50.00 and Banana Berry Smoothie for only P75.00.

DAY 4

Our flight back home was at 10:30am. We prepared early and took the chance to navigate around the city by feet and to find a place to eat breakfast. We wounded up at Jollibee nearby University of San Carlos and talked over breakfast how this trip transpired and turned out to be awesome. :)

We were picked up by Charlie and we made it just in the nick of time for our flight despite of the heavy traffic (it was a Monday). We were the last to check in but no fuss, we were all able to make it home, as you can see. Haha.

As of writing, it's been over ten days but I recount this trip with such fondness. How it was planned yet at the same time feels so spontaneous. It feels nice to introduce people to each other and be introduced to others as well. I personally feel we made the most of our time and went to so much places worth seeing in Cebu. Though I know there are still so much more! (More reasons to come back).

As what I've posted in Facebook, Cebu has the best of both worlds! One moment I am awed with its towering buildings, posh malls and fancy cafes and the next, I find myself just as awed, riding habal-habal and exploring caves, a huge lake and beaches.

I know I've dispensed a few unsolicited travelling advice and tips but what I learned most importantly is: wherever you are, be fearless and just figure it out because you can! A plan and research will definitely come in handy, but always, always make room for spontaneity!